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HOSEA CHEUNG, 24 HOURS

Willie Mitchell would rather talk hockey instead of money but with 2009-10 being his contract year, the Canucks defensemen will soon have to discuss salary.

"It's part of the business," said Mitchell yesterday at the UBC optional skate. However, he added that there hasn't been any formal talks with the Canucks management yet on an extension.

"Obviously they have [Luongo] that they're trying to take care of first and I'm sure once they take care of him, dominoes will start to fall," he said.

"I'd like to win here, but that's the personal side of it. There's business too."

Mitchell will make $3.5 million this upcoming season in the final year of a four-year contract.

For now, the big blueliner from Port McNeill, B.C. is focusing on the start of the season and on the defensive core.

"I'm pretty sure the team will add another body in there," he said. "But there's an opportunity for a lot of the other guys on this team to hopefully mature and step up."

Other notes: Dave Scatchard, who skated with several of the Canucks at UBC yesterday, says he will be at the training camp in September. The former Canucks draft pick played two and a half seasons with Vancouver during the late '90s.